On the eve of a presidential visit to flint, we're learning of a state police investigation into the water crisis.
It's something they've been at for weeks and it's who directed them to do it that's raising questions tonight.
When more than one investigation is looking into the same case, they at least communicate and often share their findings. Not this time.
In this case the serious questions include:
- Why not tell us?
- Whom did you investigate?
- Who asked you to investigate?
We found, it was the governor.
Sources tell 7 Action News, the investigation is troubling because it could get in the way of the state attorney general's criminal investigation that has so-far charged 2 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality officials with felonies - tampering with evidence and conspiracy.
Sources say, the attorney general's team had not been told about the state police investigation.
According to a spokesperson for the state police, their investigation started on January 24. It was done by one investigator the professional services section - another name for internal affairs - and it was done along with DEQ Human Resources.
It was finished March 26 and it was turned over to the attorney general on April 27.
Sources say that only because the AG’s team finally found out and asked for the findings.
The governor said yesterday he only wanted answers and the state police started investigating before the AG.
Attorney General Bill Schuette announced his investigation and team on February 9th.
Sources say the problems with the governor and state police are the governor could know where a criminal trail could end up, possibly even pointing at him and anybody charged could use in their defense that state police also questioned them and found no wrong doing in their investigation.
My sources tell me the state police talked with dozens of people and the findings have been turned over to the governor and DEQ director.
My sources also say, state police internal affairs only investigate police matters and criminal cases - not administrative matters.
A spokesperson for the state police could not tell me any other case where they've assisted in an administrative non-police matter in any other state agency.
